Multiple fixed-position film centerwinder and method for winding web material

ABSTRACT

The invention is a centerwinder for receiving and winding web material sequentially on one of at least two fixed shafts. The two or more shafts are desirably positioned vertically to one another in a stationary structure and eliminate the need for a powered turret assembly. A lay-on roll assembly can be used that pivots in and out as well as up and down for serving the respective shaft locations. A cylinder linkage provides the same or constant force against the winding roll on either the upper or the lower shaft. Transfer rolls in desirable embodiments are automatically pivoted into the proper position for a fully automatic transfer or to assist the operator during a manual cut and transfer.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/284,944, which was filed on Apr. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a web centerwinder for receiving andwinding a web material and its method for winding. Specifically, theinvention relates to a web central winder and method for receiving andwinding web material sequentially on one of at least two fixed shafts.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Background Art

[0005] “Centerwinding” is a term used in the film, foil, or paperindustries to describe the process of receiving a web material as it isproduced and turning the web material on a core or shaft in order towind a roll of the web material. Centerwinding winds a roll by drivingthe roll from the center as opposed to surface winding. A web of film,foil, or paper is typically wound on a cardboard or fiber core that issecured on a mandrel shaft or from end supports. The roll of webmaterial is removed and shipped to an end user.

[0006] A centerwinder can use a single core, shaft, or spindle,supported in a frame and driven by a motor. Commonly, multiple shaftsare provided, keeping one in standby ready to accept the constantlyflowing web as the other core, shaft, or spindle completes winding afull roll of web material.

[0007] An example occurs in the plastics industry where a polymer filmis generated by blown film production methods and wound on a cardboardor fibrous core. Rolls of film can be produced wherein, for example,1,500 linear feet or more of film is wound into a single roll of film.The roll of film can then be shipped to a plastic bag manufacturer. Theplastic bag manufacturer can subsequently print the film and producebags from the film.

[0008] Increased operating speeds of continuous web systems led theindustry to adopt turret-type centerwinders. Turret-type centerwinderscommonly incorporate two or more shafts mounted to a rotatable turretassembly. The turret has a winding position and an unloading position.The turret revolves to place a core into the feed of a web materialwhile simultaneously positioning the full roll in a position forunloading or removal from the turret.

[0009] Turret-type centerwinders include a lay-on roll to smooth thefilm and meter or remove air between layers of film. Such centerwindershave additional mechanisms to automate the web transfer from a full rollto a new core. Shortcomings of these “turret winders” include (1) extraequipment complexity and higher equipment costs, (2) the winding shaftslocated on a rotatable turret impede the transfer of the web and rollstability, and (3) inherent difficulties in unloading and recoring ashaft located on a rotatable turret.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,256,082 to Feurt discloses a paper convertingmachine. This early example of a winding device was concerned withminimizing the loss of time due to breaking of “thin stock” or webmaterial. The invention of this patent required control of the stoppingand starting of the machine for each individual roll so that no unwantedbreakages in the web material occur.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,133 to Suzuki discloses an automatic cuttingand winding apparatus for a web-like material such as a film. Thispatent discloses a turret-type automatic cutting and winding apparatus.The turret is typical of those used in the industry and involves aturret with a motor, a gear box, and related apparatus that can swing afull roll of film away from the production apparatus and place an emptycore into the web feed without disruption of the production of webmaterial.

[0012] The industry lacks a centerwinder that receives and rolls a webmaterial without the use of complex apparatus such as a turret andpermits continued winding without interruption of the manufacture of theweb material. The industry further lacks a turretless centerwinder withan automatic transfer mechanism. Also, the industry lacks a turretlesscenterwinder with an efficient shaft handling mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention includes a centerwinder for receiving and winding aweb material. A source for a constant feed of the web material providesthe web material to the centerwinder. The centerwinder has at least twowinding shafts. The two winding shafts are positioned approximatelyparallel to one another and independently rotate in a stationarystructure or frame. The centerwinder has a lay-on arm assembly. The webmaterial passes through the lay-on arm assembly and is wound on one ofthe winding shafts to a predetermined quantity. The lay-on arm assemblycuts the web material upon obtaining the predetermined quantity of theweb material on the winding shaft. The lay-on arm assembly transfers theconstant feed of the web material to another of the winding shafts.

[0014] The invention include a method for continuously winding aconstantly fed web material. The method includes feeding the webmaterial through a lay-on arm assembly to at least one rotating windingshaft. The method includes maintaining a constant pressure of a lay-onroll of the lay-on arm assembly against a roll of the web material asthe web material is wound onto the winding shaft. Sensing apredetermined quantity of the web material on the winding shaft thenoccurs. The method then includes cutting the web material upon obtainingthe predetermined quantity of the web material on the winding shaft.Transferring the cut constant feed of the web material occurs by atransfer roll mechanism of the lay-on arm assembly to another of thewinding shafts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a centerwinder having a lay-onarm assembly of the preferred embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a centerwinder having a lay-onarm assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein thepositions of the same lay-on arm assembly are shown in both an upperposition and a lower position.

[0017]FIGS. 2a through 2 d are side views of the centerwinder andillustrate the operation of the centerwinder in the transfer of webmaterial between a first shaft to a second shaft.

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a knife assembly.

[0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a centerwinder 1 having twoshafts.

[0020]FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a centerwinder having theoptional means for pivoting a shaft with a core into the centerwinder.

[0021]FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the chuck assembly.

[0023]FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the drive side of thecenterwinder.

[0024]FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the shaft puller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention is a centerwinder for receiving and winding webmaterial sequentially on one of at least two fixed shafts or spindles.The most desirable embodiments of the centerwinder use two shafts inorder to enable one shaft to wind web material as the full roll on thesecond shaft is removed. A lay-on arm assembly of the centerwinder movesfrom the full roll to the second shaft and directs the leading edge ofthe cut web material to the empty second shaft. After removal of a fullroll, a new core is fitted onto the newly, emptied shaft, and this emptyshaft is returned to an operable position within the centerwinder toreceive web material. The web material is cut when the first roll isfull and a transfer roll on the lay-on arm assembly of the inventiondirects the continuously produced web material to the new core. Thecenterwinder of the invention eliminates the powered turret assemblycommon to automatic web centerwinders.

[0026] The two winding shafts or spindles used in the centerwinder ofdesirable embodiments of the invention can be positioned vertically withrespect to one another. This embodiment is the most commerciallydesirable embodiment. The use of terms such as “upper” and “lower” orthe terms “up” and “down” to describe rolls of web material, positionsof the lay-on arm assembly, and other elements of the invention refersto this embodiment and is used for convenience in describing theinvention. These terms are not intended to limit the invention to aparticular structural arrangement in relationship to the base or floorof the centerwinder.

[0027] The shafts of the invention are positioned in the centerwinder inan appropriate frame or stationary structure. Other necessary equipmentcommon to winding apparatuses and known in the art can also be mountedin or near the stationary structure. Examples of other equipment includea shaft drive train with motors and linkages, electrical components,controllers, pneumatic equipment such as air cylinders, pumps, andhoses, and other related components.

[0028] The centerwinder of the invention includes a “lay-on armassembly.” Desirable embodiments of the lay-on arm assembly andcomponents of the lay-on arm assembly include pivotable,multidirectional features. These pivotable, multidirectional featuresinclude positioning means or apparatus to move the lay-on arm assemblybetween “in and out positions” in relation to a particular shaft as wellas “up and down positions.” The degree of pivotable, multidirectionalmovement of the lay-on arm assembly and components of the lay-on armassembly for a particular embodiment of the invention is oftendetermined by the web material to be used with the centerwinder. Forexample, blown film can require more pivotable, multidirectionalfeatures than a heavier web material.

[0029] The positioning means or apparatus can include pneumatically,electrically, and/or mechanically driven devices. The positioning meansor apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention is pneumaticand includes pivots and air cylinders operated by compressed air to movethe lay-on arm assembly and components of the lay-on arm assembly.Alternative embodiments of the positioning means or apparatus caninclude linear slides, electrical motors, servo drives, and jacks.

[0030] The positioning means or apparatus can include linkages, sensors,and controls. Cylinder linkages provide the lay-on roll assembly with aconstant or “same force” against a winding roll regardless of whetherthe winding roll is on an upper shaft or on a lower shaft. Sensors, suchas mechanical limit switches, linear counters, and electronic or opticalswitches, can be used to trigger the various movements of the lay-on armassembly and the components of the lay-on arm assembly. Controls caninclude simple mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic controls but are,desirably, commercially available electronic controllers, such as aprogrammable logic controller or a “PLC.”

[0031] Transfer rolls are an example of components that can be providedon the lay-on arm assembly. Transfer rolls are known in the art and,when used with the lay-on arm assembly of the invention, areautomatically brought into the proper position for a fully automatictransfer of web material from one shaft to another shaft or to assist anoperator during a manual cut and transfer of the web material. Thetransfer rolls of the preferred embodiment of the invention arepivotable and can operate between a plurality of positions. The movementof the transfer rolls is performed and controlled by the positioningmeans or apparatus and the controls described above.

[0032] The lay-on arm assembly of the invention can include amultifunctional component such as a lay-on roll assembly. Automatictransfer of a continuously fed web material is achieved by the preferredlay-on arm assembly equipped with a lay-on roll assembly. The preferredlay-on arm assembly jointly positions and operates the components of apivotable lay-on roll assembly having a film guide arm, guide rolls, anda knife arm. Desirable lay-on roll assemblies can operate with severalcore sizes and/or “line speeds.” Typical core sizes are from threeinches to six inches in internal diameter. Typical “line feeds” ofcontinuously fed web material can be between 150 and 500 feet perminute. The lay-on roll assembly of the invention can automaticallytransfer a web material regardless of the direction of rotation of ashaft or core.

[0033] The centerwinder of the invention can include several machineryconfigurations. The lay-on roll assembly can be used with equipmentwherein manual operations are used to cut the web material and apply theweb material to a new core. An automatic embodiment of the invention canboth cut and transfer the web material in two directions or with both aclockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the roll of web material. Thepreferred embodiment of the invention couples the automatic cut andtransfer means with an integrated hoist. An integrated hoist swings afull roll of web material from the inside of the winder to a lift tableor similar support. The full roll can then be removed from the windingshaft by a puller from inside the core.

[0034] The shaft and roll handling means of the preferred embodiment caninclude a chuck assembly with swinging means for a full or loadedwinding shaft or spindle. The swinging means permits the winding shaftor spindle to swing while maintaining support of the loaded shaft orspindle. The shaft puller means of desirable embodiments of theinvention is compact and can serve from one position both an upperwinding shaft and a lower winding shaft.

[0035]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a centerwinder having a lay-onarm assembly of the preferred embodiment. A web material 11 such as ablown film polymer enters the centerwinder 1 through a tension apparatusinvolving a plurality of idler rolls and dancer rolls. A first idlerroll 12 receives the web material 11 followed by a “dancer” roll 13 andthen additional idler rolls as needed. This embodiment has a pluralityof additional idler rolls 14, 15, 16, and 17. A dancer roll 13 floats oris movable such that it maintains a constant tension on the web material11 as the web material 11 passes through the centerwinder 1.

[0036] The centerwinder 1 includes the lay-on arm assembly 10 withapparatus, including linkage means (not shown) and positioning means orapparatus (not shown), to operate and guide the movement of the lay-onarm assembly 10. The lay-on arm assembly 10 has a pivot arm 20 mountedto a bar 21, which is affixed to side frames. Only one side frame 22 isillustrated with phantom lines in this figure. The pivot arm 20 at anend opposite to the bar 21 has a bearing 23 rotatably fixed to a lay-onarm 25.

[0037] The lay-on arm 25 of this embodiment has a geometric shapesimilar to an Arabic numeral “1.” This geometric shape permits thelay-on arm 25 to swing from the bearing 23 while holding the variousrolls necessary to guide the web material 11 onto a core or first shaft30 to form roll 31 of web material 11. The web material 11 passes aboutidler roll 17 and then over or under spreader roll 26. The web material11 in this embodiment of the invention passes over or under spreaderroll 26 depending upon the desired operation as further described below.The web material 11 passes from the spreader roll 26 to the lay-on rollassembly 27. The lay-on roll assembly of desirable embodiments of theinvention includes a plurality of components positioned at the base ofthe lay-on arm 25 nearest to the rolls of web material 11.

[0038] The lay-on roll assembly 27 of desirable embodiments of theinvention can include additional idler rolls as necessary and a transferroll mechanism 28 a and 28 b. The web material 11 passes through thelay-on roll assembly 27 to the roll 31 of web material 11. Thisconveyance of the web material 11 through the lay-on roll assembly 27can be over or under spreader roll 26 past an optional electrostatic bar29 for removing electrostatic charge from the web material 11. The webmaterial 11 then passes under or over lay-on roll 33 to the roll 31.

[0039]FIG. 1 illustrates the lay-on roll assembly 27 of desirableembodiments of the invention immediately after the transfer rollmechanism 28 a and 28 b is triggered to permit the web material 11 to becut and transferred to the lower core or second shaft 36. The knife 32is therefore shown in a position for cutting the web material 11 fromroll 31. The respective transfer rolls 34 a and 34 b of the transferroll mechanism 28 a and 28 b are shown when the transfer rolls 34 a and34 b hold the web material 11 in position for cutting and transfer. Thepositions of the transfer rolls 34′a and 34′b of the transfer rollmechanism 28 a and 28 b are shown in their normal operable position whenthe web material 11 is being supplied to roll 31. The positioning meansor apparatus for the transfer roll mechanism 28 a and 28 b and the knife32 in desirable embodiments of the invention includes compressed aircylinders (not shown).

[0040]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a centerwinder 1 having a lay-onarm assembly 10 of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein thepositions of the same lay-on arm assembly 10 are superimposed in both an“upper position” 2 and a “lower position” 3. The elements of the lay-onarm assembly in this figure are identified below with the same referencenumbers for the upper and lower positions but with a prime symbol orapostrophe appearing on the reference numbers for the same elements intheir lower position.

[0041] The lay-on arm assembly 10 is moved between its upper position 2and lower position 3 by at least one vertical air cylinder 42. The pivotarm 20, a lower pivot arm 35, and a linkage belt 44 guide and positionthe lay-on arm assembly 10. A horizontal air cylinder 43 moves thelay-on arm assembly 10 towards or away from the upper core or firstshaft 30 or the lower core or second shaft 36. The supports, air hoses,and related structures, controls, and sensors for the positioning meansor apparatus are not shown.

[0042]FIGS. 2a through 2 d illustrate the stepwise operation of thecenterwinder 1 in the transfer of web material 11 between a first shaft30 to a second shaft 36. In this embodiment the roll 31 of web material11 has a clockwise rotation, and the web material 11 passes under thespreader roll 26. These figures also illustrate the positions of thepreferred embodiment of the transfer roll mechanism 28 a and 28 b inrelationship to the knife 32 as these components proceed though anoperational cycle of the lay-on arm assembly 10.

[0043]FIG. 2a illustrates the lay-on arm assembly 10 as the roll 31 ofweb material 11 nears its desired volume of web material 11. The desiredvolume of web material 11 equates to a predetermined radius for the roll31 of web material 11. The speed of web feed in most systems isconstant. Therefore, the motor (not shown) turning the first shaft 30slows as the radius of the roll 31 increases. The lay-on arm assemblymaintains a constant pressure of the lay-on roll 33 against the roll 31as the lay-on arm assembly 10 moves or lowers in relative position tothe increasing diameter of roll 31. When the predetermined radius of theroll 31 of web material 11 is obtained, the lay-on arm assembly 10 istriggered by a sensor and a control means initiates a cutting and webtransfer process. The triggered action causes the lay-on arm assembly 10to drop and extend such that the lay-on roll assembly 27 moves towardthe bottom of the roll 31 of web material 11.

[0044]FIG. 2b illustrates the lay-on roll assembly 27 at the bottom offull roll 31 of web material 11. After the lay-on roll is positionedagainst a new core or second shaft 36, the transfer roll mechanism 28 ais closed thereby “nipping” the film against the lay-on roll 33. Thecore had previously been prepared with tape or glue. Then the knife 32pivots into position, and the traversing knife 32 “fires” across ortraverses the web as the transfer roll mechanism 28 a pivots and movesthe web material 11 against the knife 32. After the cut, the knife 32returns to a “park” or rest position, and the transfer roll mechanism 28a opens.

[0045]FIG. 2c illustrates the lay-on arm assembly 10 at a side of a fullroll 41. The lay-on arm assembly 10 begins to rise or move toward theempty first shaft 30 as the radius of web material 11 fills the roll 41.When the roll 41 obtains a predetermined length, the lay-on arm assembly10 is triggered to cut the web material 11 and transfer the web material11 to the empty, rotating first shaft 30.

[0046]FIG. 2d illustrates the lay-on arm assembly 10 once it movedtowards the empty first shaft 30. The lay-on arm assembly 10 positionsthe lay-on roll assembly 27 for cutting and transferring of the webmaterial 11 to the empty first shaft 30. The knife 32 traverses the webmaterial 11 as the transfer roll mechanism 28 b quickly directs the feedof web material 11 onto the knife 32. The movement of the knife 32 andtransfer roll mechanism 28 a and 28 b in opposite directions into theweb material 11 occurs in a fraction of a second so as not to disruptthe constant feed of the web material 11. The transfer roll mechanism 28b then directs the cut web material 11 to the empty core or first shaft30. As the new core or first shaft 30 winds web material 11, the fullroll 41 can be removed from the centerwinder 1 and a new empty coreplaced onto the empty shaft of the centerwinder 1.

[0047]FIGS. 2a through 2 d illustrate an embodiment of the inventionwherein the web material 11 is wrapped about the core in a clockwisedirection. This same embodiment of the invention can wrap a web material11 in a counterclockwise direction. When a counterclockwise direction isused, the web material 11 is directed from idler roll 17 over the top ofspreader roll 26 through the lay-on roll assembly 27. The web material11 is fed from the lay-on assembly 27 to a counterclockwise rotatingcore (not shown).

[0048] The use of a clockwise or counterclockwise winding is determinedby the type of web material that is produced and the needs of the enduser. For example, certain web materials have a coating on one surfaceto facilitate printing, and such a surface must be on a specific side ofa roll to accommodate the equipment of an end user.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a knife assembly positioned on alower spindle. The knife 32 is mounted to a knife cylinder 37. The knifecylinder 37 is mounted to a knife arm 38. The knife arm is actuated or“fired” from a resting or parked position in a circular motion upwardinto a cutting or firing position. This figure illustrates the sameknife arm 38 in both the lower parked position and the upper firingposition. The knife arm 38 is actuated by an assembly having a rod 39 aand cylinder 39 b attached to a chain 40. An electronic control means(not shown) and a transferring means or apparatus (not shown) can beused with this structure to position the knife arm 38.

[0050]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the preferred embodiment of thecenterwinder 1 having two shafts 30 and 36 with certain details removedfor clarity. Each shaft is mounted on one side to a shaft pivoting means45 for the first shaft 30 and a shaft pivoting means 46 for the secondshaft 36. Each of the shaft pivoting means includes a chuck 50 andspherical support 51. Pivotal movement of either of the shafts 30 and 36is desirably achieved by a swing hoist 47 and desirably two hoists 48.The clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the first shaft 30 and thesecond shaft 36 is performed through a linkage means, including belts,chains, or gears (not shown), a motor (not shown), and appropriatecontrol devices in cabinet 52.

[0051] Each chuck 50 retracts from a locked position 57 to an openposition 58. When the chuck 50 (shown with phantom lines) is retractedto the open position 58, the shaft retracts and disengages from itsdrive chuck 53. The swing hoist 47 holds the horizontal position ofeither the first shaft 30 or the second shaft 36 and permits the shaftto pivot in the horizontal plane from the spherical support 51.Desirably, the shaft pivots approximately 90 degrees from inside thecenterwinder 1 to a position where a full roll of the web material 11can be removed from the shaft and a new core placed on the shaft. Theshaft with an empty core can then be pivoted back into the centerwinder1, and the chuck 50 can be moved into its locked position 57 so as toengage the shaft.

[0052]FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a centerwinder 1 having theoptional shaft pivoting means for rotating a shaft between an operableposition in the centerwinder 1 and a position for removal of a roll ofweb material 11. This figure shows a single first shaft 30 with a fullroll 31 of web material 11 in two positions or conditions. The firstposition is the winding position 60, wherein the shaft rotates to form aroll of web material 11. The second position is the unloading position61, where a full roll can be removed from the shaft and a new coreinserted onto the shaft. Other elements of the invention have beenremoved from this figure for clarity.

[0053]FIG. 5 shows a full roll 31 of web material 11 formed on a core(not shown) supported by a first shaft 30. The first shaft 30 issupported by the swing hoist 47 (not shown in this figure). The chuck 50is retracted to the open position 58 such that the other end of theshaft 30 disengages from the drive chuck 53. The swing hoist 47 pivotsthe shaft 30 with the full roll 31 about the spherical support 51. Theshaft 30 with the full roll 31 is moved to the unloading position 61.Desirable embodiments of the invention include a mechanical lift table68 for supporting a full roll 31 of web material 11. The inventionpermits one or more other cores on the centerwinder 1 to receive andwind web material 11 during the unloading of a full roll.

[0054]FIG. 5 also illustrates an optional shaft puller 70 for use withthe invention or similar devices. The shaft puller 70 can be apneumatic, hydraulic, or other mechanical device for withdrawing a shaft30 from a core holding a full roll of web material. A full roll isdesirably rested on a lift table 68, and the shaft puller 70 is actuatedto retract the shaft 30 from the core.

[0055] Desirable embodiments of the invention combine a pneumatic meansfor engaging a shaft to a core and firmly holding the core to the shaft.Such a pneumatic means permits the rotation of the shaft simultaneouslyto rotate the core as web material is fed to the core. When a full rollis to be removed from the shaft, the pneumatic means is released anddisengages the shaft from the interior diameter of the core. The shaftcan then be withdrawn manually or by the shaft puller 70.

[0056] When the full roll is removed, a new core can be positioned overthe lift table 68 and the shaft inserted into the core. The pneumaticmeans or other apparatus is then activated to engage the core to theshaft.

[0057]FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the chuck assembly 80 on thenondriven side or the shaft pivoting means 45 and 46 of FIG. 4. Thechuck 50 is illustrated in both its open position 58 and locked position57 (shown with phantom lines). The chuck closes on airshaft seal 81.Desirable embodiments of the invention support the winding shaft or inthis figure the first shaft 30 by a tapered shape to facilitatealignment. The airshaft 75 is supported by bearings 86. The airshaft 75includes an air inflation port 76. This figure also includes a cardboardcore 82. The airshaft seal 81 retracts and extends into the sphericalsupport 51 respectively with the movement of the chuck 50 from the openposition 58 to the locked position 57. The spherical support 51 pivotson a support plate 83. When the chuck 50 is retracted, a shaft lowersslightly, and the weight is supported by spherical support 51. A wedge77 is provided to pull a shaft out of its drive chuck.

[0058]FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the chuck assembly 80. The chuck50 has an opening to receive and hold the shaft 30 when the shaft 30 isin the winding position 60. The plate 85 of the chuck 50 holds theairshaft seal 81.

[0059]FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the drive side of the chuckassembly 80 resting on the floor 90 with the cabinet 52 removed. Aspindle or drive chuck 53 is fixed to a side frame 22 of thecenterwinder 1. An airshaft 92 is removably affixed to the inside of thefirst shaft 30 and the second shaft 36. A motor 93 drives the drivechuck 53 through a reduction gear 94.

[0060]FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of the shaft puller 70. Theshaft puller 70 is illustrated in both its start position 71 and itsretracted position 72 superimposed on one another.

We claim:
 1. A centerwinder for receiving and winding a web materialcomprising: a source for a constant feed of said web material; at leasttwo winding shafts, said at least two winding shafts are positionedapproximately parallel to one another and independently rotate in astationary structure; and a lay-on arm assembly, said web materialpasses through said lay-on arm assembly and is wound on one of saidwinding shafts to a predetermined quantity, said lay-on arm assembly:(i) cuts said web material upon obtaining said predetermined quantity ofsaid web material on said winding shaft; and (ii) transfers saidconstant feed of said web material to another of said winding shafts. 2.The centerwinder of claim 1 further comprising: a positioning apparatusand a control means for said lay-on arm assembly, said positioningapparatus and said control means maintain a constant pressure of alay-on roll of said lay-on arm assembly against a roll of said webmaterial as said web material is wound onto said winding shaft.
 3. Thecenterwinder of claim 2 further comprising: a sensor for detecting saidpredetermined quantity of said web material wound on one of said windingshafts, said sensor signals said control means for said lay-on armassembly to initiate said cutting and transfer of said web material. 4.The centerwinder of claim 2 wherein said positioning apparatus and saidcontrol means for said lay-on arm assembly moves said lay-on armassembly from said winding shaft having said predetermined quantity ofsaid web material to an empty winding shaft.
 5. The centerwinder ofclaim 2 further comprising: a pivot means for each of said windingshafts, said pivot means enables each of said winding shafts to swingfrom a winding position in said centerwinder to position for removingsaid cut web material from said winding shaft.
 6. The centerwinder ofclaim 5 further comprising: a spherical support for each of said windingshafts, each said winding shaft pivots on said spherical support.
 7. Thecenterwinder of claim 5 further comprising: a shaft puller, said shaftpuller removes each of said winding shafts from said roll of said webmaterial and inserts each of said removed winding shafts into an emptycore for receiving web material.
 8. A centerwinder for receiving andwinding a web material comprising: a source for a constant feed of saidweb material; a first winding shaft and a second winding shaft, saidfirst winding shaft and said second winding shaft are positionedapproximately parallel to one another and independently rotate in astationary structure; a lay-on arm assembly, said web material passesthrough said lay-on arm assembly and is wound into a roll on said firstwinding shaft to a predetermined quantity, said lay-on arm assembly: (i)maintains a constant pressure of a lay-on roll against said roll of saidweb material as said web material is wound onto said winding shaft; (ii)cuts said web material upon obtaining said predetermined quantity ofsaid web material on said first winding shaft; and (iii) transfers saidconstant feed of said web material to said second winding shaft.
 9. Thecenterwinder of claim 8 further comprising: a positioning apparatus anda control means for a lay-on roll assembly of said lay-on arm assembly,said positioning apparatus and said control means operates a knife and atransfer roll mechanism to cut said web material and to transfer aleading edge of said cut web material to said second winding shaft. 10.The centerwinder of claim 9 further comprising: two spherical supports,each of said two spherical supports affixed to one end of each of saidfirst winding shaft and said second winding shaft, said first windingshaft and said second winding shaft both independently pivot on theirrespective one of said spherical supports.
 11. The centerwinder of claim10 further comprising: a shaft puller, said shaft puller independentlyremoves said first winding shaft and said second winding shaft from saidroll of said web material and reinserts said removed first winding shaftand second winding shaft into an empty core for receiving web material.12. A method for continuously winding a constantly fed web materialcomprising the steps of: feeding said web material through a lay-on armassembly to at least one rotating winding shaft; maintaining a constantpressure of a lay-on roll of said lay-on arm assembly against a roll ofsaid web material as said web material is wound onto said winding shaft;sensing a predetermined quantity of said web material on said windingshaft; cutting said web material upon obtaining said predeterminedquantity of said web material on said winding shaft; and transferringsaid cut constant feed of said web material by a transfer roll mechanismof said lay-on arm assembly to another of said winding shafts.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said cutting of said web material isperformed by a knife of said lay-on arm assembly, said knife and saidtransfer roll mechanism simultaneously press said constantly fed webmaterial to perform said cutting of said web.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein said lay-on arm assembly moves toward said another of saidwinding shafts as said roll of said web material is formed.